August’s food of the month is: kale!
Kale, a type of cabbage, is a leafy green that is full of vitamins and minerals proven to improve mental and physical health.
Kale is namely known for its extremely high levels of Vitamin K. Containing over 1000% of the daily value of Vitamin K makes kale one of the top contenders for foods to fight depression. Research has shown that Vitamin K acts as a tranquilizer, calming the mind and also can restore the part of the brain that becomes overactive during a depressive episode. It can quiet negative emotions often experienced with depression including guilt, dread and anxiety.
Eating one cup of kale will also provide you more almost 200% of your daily value of Vitamin A, a vitamin associated with relieving anxiety and stress symptoms. Diets high in Vitamin A have shown to repair damage done to the body from chronic stress.
Kale is also rich in Vitamin C, a vitamin with numerous positive effects on mental health. Diets high in Vitamin C are shown are necessary for people experiencing high and chronic stress. Vitamin C repairs the adrenal glands which become damaged and weak during times of high stress.
Vitamin C is also helps create norepinephrine (a neurotransmitter created by the adrenal glands). A healthy level of norepinephrine helps us feel alert and energetic and improves our concentration. A deficiency in norepinephrine is often exhibited by feelings of fatigue, low mood and less efficient cognitive functioning such as thinking, concentration and memory.
In addition, kale is a good source of the mineral, manganese, which is needed for optimal brain functioning. This mineral is strongly associated with lowering depression symptoms such as irritability, sadness, low mood and fatigue. Manganese is also related to regulating blood sugar issues which could also explain the elevation in mood for people eating diets rich in manganese.
Kale is a delicious, healthy and versatile vegetable that can protect our minds and bodies from common mental health issues. Add it to your diet by trying some of our recipes this month and take care of your mind and body.